Original WWI Aircraft are very rare in collections of Warbirds around the world and one of the rarest of these is an original Bristol M.1C Scout. Even more significant is the association of the aircraft with a famous Australian, Capt. Harry Butler RFC. This particular aircraft is Serial Number C5001, one of just 125 operational […]
World War I – 1914 to 1918
Australia had a significant presence in the WWI air War, both in the Middle East and in Europe as the only Commonwealth Nation to participate with its own Air Arm, the Australian Flying Corps. (AFC), comprising a total of four Operational Squadrons and four UK based Training Units. In Australia, training of overseas AFC pilots was also carried out at the Central Flying School (CFS) at Point Cook Victoria. Australians also served in the various British Air Arms – The Royal Flying Corps (RFC) and the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS). Australia then punched well above its weight in the air in WWI and this aspect of Australian WWI service is largely under-represented as we remember this part of the Centenary of World War 1.
Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5a Scout Fighter
Another of the real gems housed in the Australian War Memorial collection is one of just seven remaining original WWI manufactured, Royal Aircraft Factory designed SE.5a aircraft. The aircraft is currently displayed in the in the exhibition of WWI Aviation at the AWM. The aircraft is finished in the colors of D6950 2SQN AFC which […]
Australian Flying Corps, Australian Warbirds, Fighter Aircraft, Historic Aircraft, WW1 aircraft